{"product_id":"black-out-loud","title":"Black Out Loud","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe award-winning co-anchor of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePBS NewsHour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epresents a sweeping and insightful retrospective on the history of Black comedy in America.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack comedians have long played a pivotal role in shaping the American sense of humor. The 1990s showcased a golden era for Black comedy, highlighted by the surge of iconic sitcoms that redefined television and left a lasting cultural imprint. Shows like\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn Living Color\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLiving Single\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMartin\u003c\/em\u003e, and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Different World\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003estood on the shoulders of decades of groundbreaking work by Black comedians, both on-screen and on-stage, to deliver nuanced portrayals of life, family, and culture. Yet, just decades earlier, the idea of Black artists dominating American airwaves with characters that were both hilarious and heartfelt would have been unimaginable. How did it come to be?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey begins with 19th-century minstrel shows - offensive by today's standards but the first stage for Black performers to reach mainstream audiences. Over time, comedians challenged racial stereotypes, exploring race and identity through humor. Icons like Jackie \"Moms\" Mabley, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Eddie Murphy shifted perceptions and changed how the nation understood itself. In this incisive history, Geoff Bennett tells the story of how they did it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlack Out Loud\u003c\/em\u003e, Bennett chronicles the transformative history of Black comedy in America, drawing on research and interviews with the actors and executives behind some of the most impactful shows. This brilliant exploration traces the evolution of Black comics and provocateurs who reshaped the culture and ultimately became powerful agents of social change -- transforming the way America laughed along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes interviews and insights from: Martin Lawrence, Robert Townsend, Debbie Allen, Tisha Campbell, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Quinta Brunson, Arsenio Hall, and many more!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Bookshelf","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51519522505021,"sku":"9780063418172","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/3235\/2829\/files\/BlackOutLoud.jpg?v=1774364620","url":"https:\/\/bookshelfthomasville.com\/products\/black-out-loud","provider":" The Bookshelf","version":"1.0","type":"link"}